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Scientists investigate heat transfer in car seats
BÖNNIGHEIM (ri) The government hopes that by 2020 there will be 20 million electric
cars on Germany's roads. However, to make electric vehicles attractive to large parts
of the population, one of the aspects that needs to be improved is their range. The key
to this is intelligent energy management, and this includes not only the drive technology
and construction of the vehicle but also "energy guzzlers" such as the air conditioning
and interior heating systems. In electric cars, both of these have to operate from the
power supply, at the expense of the vehicle's range.
In the light of this, scientists from the Hohenstein Institute (Bönnigheim), FILK
(Freiberg) and IHD (Dresden) have been investigating the factors affecting the design
of thermally optimised car seats. The aims of the project (IGF No.18080 BG) are to
establish the theoretical principles behind heat transfer in seat covers, create a model
of the processes involved in heat transfer and implement it in the design of improved
seating.
The researchers are concentrating on using appropriate materials and combining them
intelligently to provide a certain amount of passive climate control. They are not looking
at "active" solutions such as heating and cooling systems for seats.
In the first phase of the project, the scientists from the three research institutions are
studying the effect of the human body, and the heat it emits, on complex upholstery
materials. Firstly, they are considering different seat covers using standard and
functional textiles. Secondly, they are basing their work on different usage scenarios
(see Figure 1). The constant factor is the "feel-good temperature" which, with textile
surfaces, is 23º C. Various different measuring methods can be used to derive
quantitative load factors to describe the material or the combination of materials and
their heat conduction properties in dry and moist conditions.
These reference values serve as the basis for simulating the processes involved in
heat transfer. These simulations are carried out using what is called the Finite Element
Method (FEM), a numerical procedure normally used, among other things, to calculate
the dimensions of complex components and assemblies in engineering and vehicle
manufacture. It can also be used to represent contradictory physical influences and
their effects.
The simulations can then be used to calculate the combinations of materials and
structural designs which would have the most positive effect on both heating and
cooling behaviour. This knowledge will help small and medium-sized automotive
suppliers in particular to secure a competitive advantage for themselves in future by
increasing comfort levels, saving energy and reducing development costs.
http://www.hohenstein.de/en/inline/pressrelease_74946.xhtml
Intelligent energy management is the key to increased range for electric cars.
©Hohenstein Institute
None
Figure 1: The scientists are using three scenarios to investigate heat transfer in car seats.
©Hohenstein Institute
None
Smart alternatives to energy guzzlers in electric cars The government hopes that by 2020 there will be one million electric cars on Germany's roads.
Criteria of this press release:
Journalists, all interested persons
Electrical engineering, Energy, Materials sciences, Traffic / transport
transregional, national
Cooperation agreements, Research projects
English
Intelligent energy management is the key to increased range for electric cars.
©Hohenstein Institute
None
Figure 1: The scientists are using three scenarios to investigate heat transfer in car seats.
©Hohenstein Institute
None
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